News Highlights

Minnesota Small Business Development Center Selects Julie Nelson as State Star

Nelson to be honored at national conference in September.

2014-05-27
Small Business Development Center News Release, 5-27-2014

Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network is proud to announce that Julie Nelson (pictured) is the recipient of the 2014 State Star Award. The annual award recognizes an SBDC top performer who makes significant contributions to their state, demonstrates exceptional performance, and embodies a strong commitment to small businesses.

“I am delighted to make this announcement and to recognize Julie Nelson for her extraordinary contributions to the Minnesota SBDC Network and businesses in the south central region,” said SBDC State Director Bruce Strong.

Nelson is program manager of the south central region SBDC located at Minnesota State University, Mankato, since 2009. She brought to the SBDC a wide knowledge base, connections to resources and a network of strategic partnerships in the region. With an extensive background in economic development, Nelson understands the challenges and needs of small businesses. She is a certified business retention & expansion consultant.

“I am honored to be able to do work that I am passionate about every day,” said Nelson. “It is rewarding to see our team help businesses succeed.”

Michael Nolan, director of the south central SBDC, nominated Nelson for bringing the center to a whole new level.

“For the myriad qualities it takes to work effectively in small business and economic development, as well as volunteer endeavors, Julie is truly worthy of State Star,” said Nolan. “She was instrumental in our Center receiving the 2013 SBDC Center of Excellence and Innovation Award – Upper Midwest Region from the U.S. Small Business Administration.”

Nelson will be recognized at a special awards reception honoring the 2014 State Stars on Sept. 9, in Grapevine, Texas, in conjunction with the America’s Small Business Development Center Network (ASBDC) 34th national conference.

Nelson is also active at Minnesota State Mankato and in the community. She is chair-elect of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women at Minnesota State Mankato and serves on the Blue Earth County Historical Society Board of Trustees, Women Executives in Business (WEB) board, South Central College Small Business Advisory Committee and City Center Partnership Business Development & Retention Committee. She is a recent recipient of the YWCA SHERO award.

For more information, contact Nolan at 507-389-1008.

About the SBDC
Minnesota's Small Business Development Centers are recognized as the state's pre-eminent, nationally-accredited provider of professional business development consultation services. The goal of the SBDC at Minnesota State Mankato is to help make businesses as efficient and profitable as possible. The SBDC works one-on-one with entrepreneurs and established companies to identify, understand and overcome the challenges of running a successful business through three primary areas: professional business consulting, access to capital and training. Consultation is no-cost and strictly confidential.